Christian Dorlodot is vice-president of the Autostar club. It's a fitting hat for this travel-loving man. Founded in 1987 by the company's directors, the club unites Autostar motorhome owners around outings and events. A club driven by passion, friendship and a sense of freedom. Values that guide Christian's passion for a vehicle that has become a way of life.
Christian Dorlodot has always been on the move. With his receding hairline and bushy moustache, this dashing septuagenarian has lived a full life. A former engineer with Alstom, for example, he has travelled to many cities across the globe to get metros up and running. From this life dedicated to transport, he has retained a taste for travel, adventure and encounters. Based in the Nord region of France for 50 years, with his wife Martine and 5 children, he made the switch from metro to motorhome by a happy coincidence.
"A feeling of freedom
In 2000, one of her daughters, a student engineer, left for an internship in Sweden. The perfect opportunity for a new escapade. The couple set out to find accommodation in Stockholm for a week. Hotel, apartment, they came up empty. "At the time, we were thinking of buying a motorhome. We wanted to rent, but it wasn't possible. So we bought our first used motorhome and set off for Sweden almost overnight. It had 70 horsepower, and we were being overtaken on the hills," recalls Christian with amusement. The trip left a lasting impression on them. They were hooked on motorhoming, and from then on their vacations were to be road-trips. "In a motorhome, you have a sense of freedom, you take your time.
After trying out two different makes of motorhome, the couple bought their first new Autostar in 2009. With a destination in their sights: Tunisia. "At the time of purchase, we received a registration form for the Autostar club. Paul Castryck was vice-president at the time, and we were practically neighbors. At his invitation, we went to the club's annual general meeting, and then went on a week's road trip with them," says Christian. As mayor of his village and a man of commitment, Christian joined the association's board. He will become vice-president in 2020 at the request of the board.
15,000 kilometers per year
This event links him to the brand. "We could have tried other brands, we look at what they're doing, but there's the club," smiles Christian. We've tried every length. We're on our4th Autostar model. We'll be changing soon, and the next one will be our last. The couple change vehicles every 3 to 4 years to avoid excessive depreciation and to keep a comfortable vehicle in good working order, with a reliable engine. Covering 15,000 kilometers a year, with one trip abroad and numerous escapades in France each year, the couple take great care of their vehicle and its comfort. "There's no such thing as the ideal motorhome, but we appreciate Autostar for the quality of its aesthetic and practical features. That makes it a valuable object for us."
Christian and Martine have traveled the roads of Europe, and even a little further afield. Ireland, Holland, Tunisia... Each trip is unique, bringing its own share of encounters, adventures and adventures. "In Tunisia, we received a magnificent welcome. But if I had to pick one memorable trip, I'd say southern Italy. Sicily, Sardinia. The landscapes are wild and magnificent, the sea at 25-27 degrees. There's this laid-back way of life that really appealed to us," reels Christian.
Off the beaten track
But most of their outings are in France, with the club. True to their motto: "Always free. Never alone", they like to go where they want, when they want. "But always within the rules," reminds Christian. The club organizes 7 to 8 outings a year in France between April and November, excluding July and August, and one abroad. "For outings abroad, we make a scouting trip. That takes time. Now we go through operators who sell us all-inclusive road books. Our mission at the club is to offer outings in complete safety, with a controlled budget and a lot of conviviality", Christian emphasizes. 
For this reason, outings, excluding general meetings, are generally limited to 25 vehicles. In reality, they are around 15 vehicles. Each region has a representative who undertakes to organize an outing at least once every two years. "There are frequent outings in Brittany, since that's the cradle of the company, but we try to go everywhere. The great thing about the club is that we share our experiences, and that allows us to propose outings off the beaten track. We avoid the crowds, and discover places that aren't necessarily in the guidebooks, sometimes not far from where we live. It makes for unusual trips and great memories," remarks Christian.
A club of enthusiasts
The club has 72 motorhomes. Just under 140 convinced and experienced Autostarists. "The advantage of the club is that you meet people who often become friends," says Christian. Every year, the club welcomes new members. "The first year's membership is offered to new owners of an Autostar motorhome, and every year we organize a 3-4-day outing for new members to get to know each other and introduce the club," explains Christian. The annual general meeting, a kind of high mass, allows them to combine business with pleasure once a year. Friendships are forged on the road, and the evening drink brings people together.
The members of the Autostar club have made motorhoming a way of life. "We're all enthusiasts. Some of us have country houses or other passions. For us, it's the motorhome. It's a budget, but everyone has to make do with what they can afford," says Christian.
He wouldn't change his lifestyle for the world. "When you go to a family party, you're on your own. We don't bother anyone. Autonomy, freedom, pleasure, encounters - these are just some of the words that come back to Christian Dorlodot's lips. All words that sum up the Autostaristes philosophy.
More information at www.autostar-club.fr
